- Chevrolet is debuting a Silverado EV ZR2 race truck at the Mint 400, built for serious off-roading
- The automaker says the race data will enhance future trucks—is a production EV ZR2 in the works?
- Meanwhile, a 2026 Silverado EV Trail Boss will expand Chevy’s off-road EV lineup with enhanced terrain features
Chevrolet is entering its new Silverado EV ZR2 race truck concept into the Mint 400, one of North America’s most renowned off-road endurance races. The all-electric truck will compete in the Open Production EV class, driven by Chad Hall of Hall Racing. The Silverado EV ZR2 race truck joins Hall Racing’s stable, which already includes a gas-powered Silverado ZR2 and Colorado ZR2.
The ZR2 trim has been around far longer than most remember. For more than 30 years, it has built a strong reputation among off-road enthusiasts, particularly with Colorado owners who have embraced its capability since its 2017 return. Initially introduced in the 1990s on the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC Sonoma – as well as the Chevrolet Tracker (don’t laugh) – the ZR2 package has evolved into a specialized off-road performance offering across Chevrolet’s truck lineup.
ZR2 legacy continues with Silverado EV
“There is no better proving ground to test the limits of our vehicles than competitive racing,” said Scott Bell, vice-president, Chevrolet. “The Silverado EV ZR2 race truck concept, which uses 98% GM production parts, showcases some of the best of Chevrolet to produce a beyond-capable pickup to tackle a challenging race of the Mint 400’s magnitude.”
Like its combustion-powered counterparts, the Silverado EV ZR2 race truck incorporates key ZR2 off-road features:
- Lifted front and rear suspension with specific off-road tuning
- Multimatic damper technology
- Locking differentials
- Underbody skid protection
Developed over a relatively brief five-month period, the concept truck also features prototype Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve continuously adaptive dampers. These dampers and 37-inch BF Goodrich KM3 Mud-Terrain tires provide over 13 inches of wheel travel. The race truck’s tri-motor electric powertrain delivers 1,100 horsepower.
Chevrolet engineers will collaborate with Hall Racing to analyze the truck’s performance under extreme conditions. The race’s insights will shape future production models and accessories. Chevrolet currently offers over 44 off-road performance parts for its trucks.
Silverado EV Trail Boss to follow
The Silverado EV ZR2 race truck concept debuts as Chevrolet prepares to launch the 2026 Silverado EV Trail Boss this summer, a vehicle it has first teased way back in 2022 as a 2024 model. Positioned as an off-road-focused electric pickup, the Trail Boss will feature:
- Factory-installed lift
- 18-inch wheels with 35-inch all-terrain tires
- Red tow hooks
- New Terrain Mode for enhanced maneuverability
More details on the Silverado EV Trail Boss are expected soon. And while it’s certainly whet our appetite for electrified Chevy off-road machines, we have to wonder if the Silverado EV ZR2 race truck concept doesn’t also portend a production Silverado EV ZR2, too.
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